Good Morning!
Let’s focus our day by spending some time with Jesus before it begins.
Pick a song from one of our Spotify Playlists and let it play in the background.
ENTER. Write down or say out loud 3-5 things you’re thankful for from the last 24 hours.
FOCUS. Slowly breathe in… and out. Pray, Jesus, I surrender to you today and trust in you.
READ. Our Scripture Focus is 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Try memorizing it during this study!
Today’s reading is from 2 Chronicles 17-18 & Psalm 33:16-22
THINK. A Thought from Pastor Dave…
Sometimes after I read a section of Scripture, the most helpful thing is to go back and retell the story in my own words. So, Jehoshaphat has become king of Judah. He loves and serves God, and decides to make an alliance with Ahab, king of Israel, through marriage. Ahab asks J-phat to help him in battle over a strategic location for them both. J-phat asks what God thinks about this, so Ahab brings in 400 of his closest friends to tell him exactly what he wants to hear. J-phat says, “Don’t any of these guys love God and hear from Him though?” Ahab says there’s this one dude who he hates and has thrown in prison because all he ever does is give him “bad news” (his term for God’s truth.) J-phat wants to hear from God, so he wants to hear from this dude. They send people to go get him, and he comes back with a bit of an attitude (you might have one too fresh out of prison), telling the king exactly what he wants to hear. When Ahab asks for the truth, he gets it. Micaiah tells him all his “prophets” are actually under the influence of a demon who is lying to them, causing them to lie to him by constantly blowing smoke up his rear end and that, by listening to them, he’ll ultimately be destroyed. Of course, Ahab doesn’t like hearing that, throws Micaiah back in prison, goes to battle anyway, and is ultimately destroyed. Now, for the morals of the story. First, ask God what His will is (2 Ch. 18:4). Second, know that asking people - even a lot of people - is not the same as asking God. Third, be careful that the voices you trust the most aren’t simply an echo chamber telling you what you want to hear - that’s a sugar-coated road to destruction. And finally, even the “bad news” was ultimately an opportunity for Ahab to listen to the truth and LIVE! What voice is loudest in your life? Choose to listen to God’s truth and live today!
PRAY. Join Paradox in Prayer & Fasting this Lent. Learn more at paradoxchurch.com/lent.
Use the Daily Prayer Guide after each day’s reading. Ask the following SOS Questions & journal your thoughts.
S = Say. What does it say? What is the main point? What does it teach you about God (Jesus) & yourself?
O = Obey. What can I obey? What can you apply (practice) from this passage today?
S = Share. What truth can I share? Who can you share what you’re learning with today?
TALK. That was our take on today’s reading - what’s yours? Share thoughts and ask questions in the forum.
SHARE. Stay focused with a friend! Invite them to text “FOCUS” to (586) 200-6277.

Stay focused on Jesus today, and make it a great one!